In the workplace, and in your personal life, when problematic situations occur, invite those affected to work with you on the solution. You don’t have to have all the answers. In fact, even if you know the answer, it’s better to involve others in co-creating solutions, especially if they have to live with the […]

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  Effective self-management is dependent on your level self-awareness. If it’s high, even in emotionally charged situations, you’ll be in tune with your inner self and better able to control your impulse to act in ways that might not serve you or others. When you’re able to accurately perceive your emotions, in the moment, and […]

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  What challenges do you face, as you interact with people, day-to-day, at work and at home? What is about the behavior of others that confounds you and drives you nuts? Take a moment; give it thought. If you’re in your workplace, glance around. With whom do you have the most trouble engaging without feeling […]

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  Here are two strategies you can implement today to develop your direct reports. Invite a team member to join you for your next important meeting with customers, peers or senior management. Explain the purpose of the meeting, in advance. Prep the person for a role such as presenting a topic or documenting follow-up items. […]

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  When problematic situations occur, remember, you don’t have to solve them yourself, particularly if others are impacted. Specify the issue, as you see it, and invite others to work with you to brainstorm potential solutions. Before you begin generating ideas, explain the process by which the successful solution will be selected – for example, […]

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    A CareerBuilders survey says 71% of employer’s value emotional intelligence, or EQ, over IQ.  Many employers believe people can be taught “hard,” or technical skillls more readily than EQ, the required softer, human relations skills. I agree with their assessment.  For more than 30 years as a speaker, leadership development expert and executive […]

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    In your professional and personal life, problems that persist are a valuable source of feedback. Yet, we often ignore the opportunity they present. Instead of looking within for solutions, we tend to look outside of ourselves for someone or something to blame. When you hear yourself thinking or saying, “They started this. It’s […]

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  If you’ve been thinking about hiring a coach for one of your reports, check your intentions. Do NOT hire a coach for an employee if you’re using the coach to avoid the tedious, frustrating task of motivating a resistant learner; giving candid feedback on sensitive subjects; or delivering a tough message about poor performance […]

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  For weeks, Kathy, John’s direct report, worked on the presentation for the new product launch. “At every regional meeting, she nailed it,” he said, proudly. Next week, I take it to senior management.” “Why are you taking it,” I asked? “Why not Kathy?” “Oh, they can be a tough group with their probes, challenges […]

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  Arianna Huffington says, “We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.” If you’re feeling stuck, stagnant, resentful or bored, examine your mind and heart. Uncover the places where fear of […]

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    Whether you’re the big boss, a middle manager, or an employee on the frontlines working to advance business goals, you can increase cooperation and support by being transparent about what you’re doing and why. Target the content of your WHAT and WHY story so it’s audience appropriate.  Solicit feedback from key stakeholders and […]

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    I see it often – leadership teams at odds with each other, despite in-the-meeting agreements. Consciously or unconsciously, it seems that once back in their realm, silo walls go up, willingness and ability to work in cross-functional partnership goes down. To facilitate more effective teamwork I structure opportunities for members to get to […]

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    Interviewer, or the interviewed, you know the operative belief that past behavior patterns are seen as a trustworthy predictors of future performance. It’s true; others judge us based on our history – whether experienced directly or inferred from a resume. In fact, researchers who study social systems, and the workplace is a social […]

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    Are you rooted in an old story about who you are and what you’re capable of? Here’s an easy way to take stock and get up to speed with who you are, here and now:  Write Out Your Accomplishments. List all that you’ve experienced, learned, contributed and achieved since your last self-inventory. Put […]

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    To have a lasting impact as a leader, develop your people! Stop being so task-oriented, to-do-list driven, scheduled to the hilt. Your people need you! Make time to lead and grow your biggest asset. Meet one-on-one with your reports, regularly, to discuss the specifics of their role, major projects and their current performance. […]

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    We’ve all heard the expression, “In life, it’s not what happens to you that counts most, it’s how you respond.” Amy Morin, in her new book titled 13 Things Mentally Strong People Do says the mentally resilient have core beliefs that help them cope with challenges, thrive in the face of conflict and […]

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  Professional speaker, Jim Rohn, says, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” That’s something to think about! And, it makes sense. We’re impacted by our environment – our physical surroundings and relationships. The people with whom we interact regularly influence how we think, feel and behave. Who are […]

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  Are you putting forth the quality of effort real success demands? Do you give your dreams and goals your best effort, every single day? Or, are you more in the habit of talking about success, while your constructive actions are insufficient and inconsistent? Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave who became an Abolitionist, famed orator, […]

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Are your current business goals big, more challenging than ever? Do they feel unrealistic, impractical, unattainable? What if the goal is not the issue, but you are…you and your limiting beliefs? I call them LIES – the Labels, Illusions, Excuses and Stories…self-talk that stops you from thinking creatively and keeps you stuck in fear-based, unproductive […]

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    Here are the 5 practices to integrate into the way you think and behave, when you want to enhance the level of trust on your team, feel more connected to the people you work with, day-to-day, convey expectations with clarity, confidence and compassion and be seen as a competent leader: First, recognize your […]

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